The Israeli government has released 20 living hostages held captive in Gaza for over two years as part of a peace deal brokered by the Trump administration. The hostages, most of whom are civilians, were held in captivity since October 2018. In exchange, Israel will release around 1,700 Palestinian prisoners who were detained by Israeli forces.
The hostages, ranging from their mid-twenties to their mid-thirties, were taken from various locations across Israel and the West Bank, including music festivals, kibbutzes, and a tank station. Among them are two American citizens who were held for over 2 years.
The families of the released hostages have expressed relief and gratitude towards the Israeli government, with many taking to social media to thank President Trump for his role in securing their loved ones’ release. The hostages were taken into custody during the 2018-2019 Gaza conflict, which saw thousands of Palestinians killed or injured.
The release comes after a two-year campaign that resulted in over 67,000 Palestinian deaths and more than 200,000 injuries. The peace deal is seen as a major breakthrough in efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The released hostages include various individuals from different backgrounds, including soldiers, civilians, and musicians. Their stories of captivity and resilience have garnered widespread attention, with many calling for greater action to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
As part of the deal, Hamas must also return the bodies of 28 deceased hostages, including two Americans. The release of the living hostages marks a significant development in efforts to resolve the conflict and has been welcomed by Palestinian leaders and human rights organizations worldwide.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/10/13/israeli-hostages-released-hamas-war